The Future is Female
posted by Nieema Williams | December 5, 2018 | In OpinionWhen I sit and think about shows getting revamped or rebooted I, like many of you, ask: Why is this needed? In this era of rebooting shows from the 1990s and early 2000s, it can seem like a trend. For producers and directors, it can be a guaranteed hit if the revamp is as successful as the original. However, if a once popular show wants to give their fans more to see, more to love, and more for their fandom, the writing and casting will have to be genuine while the storylines will reflect the original story and will show the progression of time, as well.
The CW’s Arrowverse series Supergirl (2015) and Batwoman (2019) have devoted their storytelling and artistry to create more relevancy for intelligent superheroines and vigilantes. Modern waves of equality from the feminist movement are making breakthroughs on many platforms. Works spaces are becoming female-friendly and inclusive. There are more female law enforcement and first responders, and more female surgeons and doctors and not just nurses. There are more women CEOs and billionaire moguls. Another platform that is making huge strides to show women as leaders, protectors and powerful is on television.
Keeping up with the gender roles of the 1950s, when early comic superheroes emerged from their universe, either DC or Marvel, women were not typically in the picture unless they were the damsel-in-distress needing to be rescued. As time progressed, the makers of the popular comics like Superman and Batman were bold enough to introduce female superheroines.
In its early days the story of Superman was one dimensional, and there was a need to expand his story. The writers created Supergirl, the female cousin from his home planet of Kyrpton, Kara Zor-El. She has the same powers as Kal-El (Superman) because the yellow sun of earth gives them their powers. Supergirl made her first appearance in Action Comics May 1959 and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino. Her addition drew more readers and attention to the comic with the new heroine. In the 2015 CW television adaption Supergirl is older than superman and was sent as his protector as Krypton was exploding. In the blast from the explosion Kara and her baby cousin were separated, and she orbited in space for 12 years. Meanwhile Kal-El was on earth becoming Superman.
In Kara’s 2015 television arrival she was taken in by a family of scientists and their daughter at 12 years old. On Earth she assimilated into normal society, going to high school, prom, and college. She becomes a reporter and puts her life from another planet behind her, and keeping the memory, teachings and morals of her planet close to her. Her emergence into the public eye as an alien and Supergirl happened when she had to save her sister from a crashing plane. That night the entire world realized that Superman wasn’t alone and brought attention to the presence of aliens in National City. The series focuses on Kara embracing her powers again and how her kindness and morals saves the day more than her strength. The writers don’t even mention Superman unless to reference his cousin Kara. Currently the show is in its fourth season and has made a huge impact in the way television depicts characters of color, races, ethnicities, origin, sexual orientation, occupation, and size. No matter what side of the battle the leader is a woman, good or evil!
In 2019, a new female vigilante is in the works by the name of Katherine Kane aka Batwoman. Played by Actress Ruby Rose, Batwoman is not new to the storyline of Batman, although it has been some time since she was mentioned. Her initial introduction in the 1959 comic series was to be a romantic interest for Batman to draw attention away from the controversy surrounding Batman’s and Robin’s seemingly homosexual relationship that readers did not like.
In predicting for this 2019 television series adaptation, I am hoping to see and understand the life of Batwoman with the same depth, humanity and empowerment that I see in Supergirl. This series could be an origin story for Batwoman to get her own movies, cartoon series, and so much more. The effect of these new strong female superheroes/vigilantes will radiate though mainstream culture and give little girls’ role models in variety. The reemergence of women comic characters need to be a genuine attempt to give them depth and a real story line and not just spinoff from their male counterparts. I hope the writers and creators do not use this platform as just an attempt to keep interest in their respective universes. This is a chance to be a leader off screen while depicting a new one on screen. The world will be watching, especially the women. The future is female.
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